The life principle, soul, or individual essence.

The universal ego from whom all individual atmans arise. This sense is a European excrescence on the East Indian thought.

(Pali, Atta) Soul, self, ego.

this is the 'real self', the soul of a person. Inside everyone is a 'spark' of the divine ( Brahma); it is this spark that is able to reincarnate after death and provides each life with identity. It is through the atman that all things are connected, leading to the doctrine of ahinsa (or non-injury) and universal love.